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Malice Mizer, an example of visual kei during the 1990s.
Malice Mizer, an example of visual kei during the 1990s. Malice Mizer (マリス・ミゼル Marisu Mizeru) is a Japanese rock band and part of the country's Visual kei movement
Visual kei
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity Mostly within Japanese independent scene; some followings across the globe
Subgenres
Angura kei, Eroguro, Nagoya kei, Oshare kei
Other topics
List of visual kei artists
Japanese popular culture • Gothic Lolita

Visual Kei (ヴィジュアル系 vijuaru kei?) refers to a movement among Japanese musicians,[1][2] that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Glam rock (also known as glitter rock) is a sub-genre of Rock music that developed in the UK in the post- Hippie early 1970s which was "performed by For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The goth subculture is a contemporary Subculture found in many countries The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a Musical keyboard. The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango refers to a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of eccentric sometimes flamboyant looks is a Wasei-eigo term that describes a loose genre in Japanese art and music that merges the Disgusting with the Erotic. refers to a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of eccentric sometimes flamboyant looks Japanese popular culture not only reflects the attitudes and concerns of the present but also provides a link to the past Gothic Lolita or " GothLoli " (ゴスロリ —) gosurorii) sometimes " Loli-Goth " has two definitions The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango This usually involves striking make-up, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. The term costume can refer to Wardrobe and dress in general or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people class or period Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ ( anér, meaning man and γυνή ( gyné, meaning woman that can refer to either of two Aesthetics or esthetics ( also spelled æsthetics) is commonly known as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values sometimes called [3][4] Some sources state that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general [5][6]), with its own particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal, and with strong emphasis on its unique style of dress; [7] [8] [9] [10] and some sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing and make-up fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture, is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term. The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango Glam rock (also known as glitter rock) is a sub-genre of Rock music that developed in the UK in the post- Hippie early 1970s which was "performed by Fashion refers to styles of dress (but can also include cuisine literature art architecture and general comportment that are popular in a culture at any given time For the term in biology see Subculture (biology. For the song by New Order see Sub-culture (song. [11] [12] [13]

Contents


Popularity

Visual Kei has enjoyed popularity among independent underground projects, as well as artists achieving mainstream success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as glam, goth and cyberpunk. In Popular music, independent music, often abbreviated as indie, is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous Mainstream is generally the common current of Thought of the Majority. Glam rock (also known as glitter rock) is a sub-genre of Rock music that developed in the UK in the post- Hippie early 1970s which was "performed by The goth subculture is a contemporary Subculture found in many countries Cyberpunk is a Science fiction genre noted for its focus on " High tech and low life. [4][14] The music performed encompasses a large variety of genres, i. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other e. pop, heavy metal and electronica. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary Electronic music designed for a wide range [1][4] Magazines published regularly in Japan with Visual Kei coverage are Arena 37°C, Fool's Mate and Shoxx. Shoxx Magazine is a Japanese Visual and Hard Shock and Visual Kei magazine published by Ongakusei Noted bands who at least at some point sported a Visual Kei theme include Dir en grey,[2] Luna Sea[15] and Malice Mizer. Dir en grey is a Japanese band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div Luna Sea is a Japanese rock band It was formed in 1989 by Ryuichi Kawamura, Yasuhiro "Sugizo" Sugihara, Shinobu "Inoran" Malice Mizer (マリス・ミゼル Marisu Mizeru) is a Japanese rock band and part of the country's Visual kei movement [16]

Popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan is sparse, but has seen an increase in recent years. While the successful X Japan launched an attempt to enter the international market as early as 1992,[17] it would still take another decade until live concerts and regular domestic releases by Visual Kei themed bands in Europe and North America came to pass. is a Japanese band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi.

History

Visual Kei emerged in the late 1980s, pioneered by the band X Japan. is a Japanese band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi. [3], along with others such as D'erlanger and Color, who are regarded as influencing the fashion and music associated with Visual Kei bands. D'erlanger (typeset D'ERLANGER) is a Japanese band considered to be important to the formation of Visual kei. Color was a Japanese band formed by Hiroshi Tomioka the founder of the label Free-Will. [18] X Japan's drummer Yoshiki Hayashi used the term to describe the band's slogan "Psychedelic Violence Crime of Visual Shock". is a Musician, Songwriter and producer. Throughout his professional career usually referred to by his Given name only he is primarily known for co-founding

Color vocalist "Dynamite Tommy" formed his record company Free-Will in 1986, which has been a major contributor in spreading modern Visual Kei outside Japan. Free-Will is a Japanese Independent record label founded in 1986 [18]

In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would extend worldwide. is a Japanese band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi. [4]

In the mid 1990s, Visual Kei received an increase in popularity throughout Japan, when album sales from Visual Kei bands started to reach record numbers. The most notable bands to achieve success during this period included, X Japan, Glay, Luna Sea, and L'Arc-en-Ciel, however a drastic change in their appearance accompanied their success. is a Japanese band founded in 1982 by Toshimitsu "Toshi" Deyama and Yoshiki Hayashi. is a rock/pop band from Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan formed by guitarist Takuro and vocalist Teru during high school in 1988 Luna Sea is a Japanese rock band It was formed in 1989 by Ryuichi Kawamura, Yasuhiro "Sugizo" Sugihara, Shinobu "Inoran" is a popular Japanese Rock band, formed in 1991 The group has sold over 13 million albums 16 million singles and millions of other units such as videos [18]

During the same period, bands such as Kuroyume, Malice Mizer, and Penicillin, gained mainstream awareness, although they were not as commercially successful. Kuroyume (黒夢 was a Japanese rock group that formed in Nagoya during May 1991 and lasted until 1998, initially consisting of lead Malice Mizer (マリス・ミゼル Marisu Mizeru) is a Japanese rock band and part of the country's Visual kei movement Penicillin is a Japanese rock band formed in 1992. History Formed by friends at Tokai University in Kanagawa Japan on February 14 [18]

By 1999, mainstream popularity in Visual Kei was declining, X Japan had disbanded, and the death of lead guitarist Hideto Matsumoto in 1998 had denied fans a possible reunion. was a popular Japanese musician More commonly known by his Stage name hide ( pronounced /hee It wasn't long before Luna Sea decided to disband in the year 2000, and L'Arc-en-Ciel went on a hiatus the same year. [18]

In 2007 the genre has been revitalized, as Luna Sea performed a one-off performance, and X Japan reunited for a new single and a world tour. With these developments, Visual Kei bands enjoyed a boost in public awareness, described by the media as "Neo-Visual Kei". [19]. [18]

Harajuku, cosplay and gothic lolita subcultures

Visual Kei is associated with Harajuku. Harajuku (原宿 "meadow lodging" is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward In attendance one will find Visual Kei cosplayers (those dressed as their favorite bands) and those in the subculture known as Gothic Lolita based on Lolita fashion. short for "costume play" is a type of performance art whose participants outfit themselves with often-elaborate Costumes and Accessories, as a specific For the term in biology see Subculture (biology. For the song by New Order see Sub-culture (song. Gothic Lolita or " GothLoli " (ゴスロリ —) gosurorii) sometimes " Loli-Goth " has two definitions Lolita is a Fashion Subculture in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian children’s clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo [13]

Often fans of such bands also will dress up for concerts, meet ups, and other events where they'll see other people who enjoy Visual Kei.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b International Music Feed feature "J Rock". imf. com. Retrieved on 2007-07-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently
  2. ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. All Music Guide biography of Dir en grey. allmusic. com. Retrieved on 2007-07-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently
  3. ^ a b Strauss, Neil (1998-06-18). Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries "The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era". nytimes. com. Retrieved on 2007-07-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently
  4. ^ a b c d Reesman, Brian (2006-11-30). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats "Kabuki Rock ". grammy. com. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great.
  5. ^ Heinrich, Sally (2006). Key Into Japan. Curriculum Corporation, 80. ISBN 1863667725.  
  6. ^ Yun, Josephine (2005). jrock, ink. : a concise report on 40 of the biggest rock acts in Japan. Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 1880656957.  
  7. ^ "visual kei is a branch of Japanese rock (affectionately referred to by fans as J-Rock). . . . it aims to experiment with various established genres such as rock, punk, metal, goth and glam in an attempt to create a wholly new sound. " For those about to J-Rock by Subha Arulvarathan , the Carillon, March 15, 2006, Issue 20 Volume 48, official student newspaper of the University of Regina.
  8. ^ "Josephine Yun, author of the book Jrock, Ink. , explains that visual kei originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s as Japan's rock scene began cultivating its own identity. 'It was rock 'n roll, punk rock, glam and metal with a twist — a twist just as angry and rebellious as what came before it — but a poetic one, artistic, with painstaking attention to detail,' Yun explains. " Kabuki Rock, by Bryan Reesman, Grammy.com, The Latin Recording Academy, November 30, 2006
  9. ^ a fleeting genre known to fans as “Visual Kei” (aka “Visual Rock”). Nonetheless, this fusion of metal, punk and gothic aesthetics ignited at least two generations of followers with its shocking visual appeal" X [Japan]: Reliving the Height of Japan’s Superlative Visual Rock Band, By Minnie Chi, Asia Pacific Arts, bi-weekly web magazine, UCLA Asia Institute
  10. ^ "That's why Hide and others in the new rock movement are so important: they're original and they're selling millions of units. As the guitarist of X-Japan, Hide (real name Matsumoto Hideto) was a pioneering member of a new J-Pop sub-genre called "visual rock. " Born of a combination of hard rock and metal, visual rock leans toward a more theatrical presentation emphasizing imagery as much as music. One only needs to watch an X-Japan video to recognize its decadent glam influences, as drummer Yoshiki is often decked out in lace stockings and torn black leather vests. However, the band's androgynous looks can be attributed as much to kayou kyoku (traditional Japanese pop) as to the eccentric costumes of '70s David Bowie and '80s hair bands. It is precisely this hodgepodge of international styles that makes visual rock such a noteworthy new genre. Couple that with the high-dollar, idol-influenced publicity that goes behind these bands, and you've got a new brand of rock that makes KISS look like shoegazers. " Gibson, Dave Get ready America; Japan's J-Pop phenomenon has all eyes facing east. Retrieved Sep 10, 2007;
  11. ^ "Since it formed in the mid-1980s, X Japan went from playing loud, fast thrash-metal to stadium-shaking pop ballads, in the process pioneering its own genre, a Japanese equivalent of glam rock known as visual kei. For visual kei bands, outrageous, usually androgynous looks -- gobs of makeup, hair dyed and sprayed in ways that made Mohawks look conservative, and a small fortune spent on leather and jewelry -- were as important as music (or, in many cases after X, more important than music). " THE POP LIFE; End of a Life, End of an Era, By NEIL STRAUSS New York Times, June 18, 1998
  12. ^ "a representative slice of Japanese rock music as a whole. It’s a very diverse genre and, of course, Japan also now has its own sub-genre called 'Visual kei . . . 'Visual Kei' literally means 'visual style. ' It’s a style of dress, there’s a lot of costuming and make up and it’s uniquely Japanese because it goes back to ancient Japan. Men would often wear women’s clothing; I guess if they were here today they would be the underground kind of independent anarchist type people who spend their time in coffee houses thinking radical thoughts for that time. " - JAPANESE ROCK ON NPR, by Kristen Sollee The Big Takeover online music magazine, 25 June 2006
  13. ^ a b "Most GothLolis cite that they are merely imitating their favorite bands from the visual rock genre, known as 'Visual Kei'. Although it seems an obvious reference to Vladimir Nabokov’s scandalous Lolita, many Gothlolis will tell you that books (other than manga, Japanese comics, which are also at the heart of the scene) and art are not a part of their inspiration. Music is a major force in its creation. Visual Kei is exactly as it sounds: Rock music that incorporates visual effects and elaborate costumes to heighten the experience of the music and the show. Visual Kei started in the 80s and became so popular by the 90s that the nearly all-female fan base started dressing up as their favorite band members (known as 'cosplay') who were often males that wore make-up, crazy hair, and dressed androgynously or as females (usually, the more feminine the rocker, the more fans rush to emulate them). " Pretty Babies: Japan's Undying Gothic Lolita Phenomenon, by Chako Suzuki, fashionlines.com e-magazine, January, 2007
  14. ^ Mascia, Mike. Dir en grey feature interview. blistering. com. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great.
  15. ^ Luna Sea at Yahoo Music (Japanese). music. yahoo. co. jp. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1192 - Minamoto Yoritomo becomes Seii Tai Shōgun and the De facto ruler of Japan.
  16. ^ Malice Mizer at Yahoo Music (Japanese). music. yahoo. co. jp. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1192 - Minamoto Yoritomo becomes Seii Tai Shōgun and the De facto ruler of Japan.
  17. ^ Duffy, Thom (1992-09-05), “Home and Abroad: Warner Marks X from Japan for Int'l Success”, Billboard: p. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. 46 
  18. ^ a b c d e f Dejima Kouji (出嶌 孝次) Bounce Di(s)ctionary Number 13 - Visual Kei Retrieved Sep 12 2007 (Japanese)
  19. ^ Shinjidai ni Totsunyu! Neo Visual Kei Band Taidou no kizashi.. Retrieved on 2007-09-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I.
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